Evan Gershkovich: Wall Street Journal reporter expected to be released from Russian jail after prisoner swap
Imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is expected to be released by Russian authorities following a prisoner deal with the US Government.
It is reported at least three people — Gershkovich, Russian American presenter Alsu Kurmasheva and Marine veteran Paul Whelan — will be released following a deal accepted by the Biden administration.
The BBC reports the deal was confirmed by “a senior US official”. The agreement is expected to see the trio released later on Thursday.
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While the White House has not officially confirmed the prisoner swap, CBS reports 24 prisoners from Russia, Germany and other Western countries are involved in the deal.
Gershkovich, 32, was imprisoned after being accused of espionage while working in the country as a journalist. He was arrested and charged on March 29 last year, before being sentenced to 16 years prison in July.
His employer and the US Government vehemently denied the allegations.
In 2018, Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison on claims of spying, following allegations he had obtained a USB containing classified materials.
The 54-year-old was not part of a prisoner swap between Russia and the US in 2022, which saw WNBA player Brittney Griner exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
There is speculation Vadim Krasikov — a colonel in Russia’s FSB intelligence service who was sentenced to life in Germany after murdering an opponent of the Kremlin — is among the people being exchanged in the deal.
